Odor Containing Temporary Storage Container for Disposal of Waste, Refuse, or Soiled Items

ABSTRACT

A temporary storage container for providing temporary storage of odorous waste materials. The container has potential for particular application in pet litter and soiled diaper disposal. The container prevents liquids and solids from entering or exiting any area other than the designed entry and exit paths. The container has various sealable apertures that prevent the release of odorous gasses from the container when in a sealed position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 61/766,068 filed on Feb. 18, 2013 and U.S. Application No. 61/835,132 filed on Jun. 14, 2013, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully cited herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIVE FIELD

This invention relates to a waste storage container for temporary storage and ultimately disposal of odorous waste, with potential to applications for pet litter and soiled diapers. This bag is hygienic, simple to manufacture and use, and easy to erect and to dispose of.

Humans and pets have long enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship. The pet receives food and shelter in exchange for their companionship. With increasing urbanization, many pets are either trained to drop their waste indoors or must “go for a walk” and often drop their waste in public areas. In either case, their human owners are often legally obligated to dispose of their pet's waste for hygienic reasons.

The increase in prevalence and use of disposable diapers for young children and the elderly has similarly prompted a need for such bags for parents, caretakers, maternity wards, hospitals, hospices, assisted living, and nursing homes.

Generally, these containers are temporarily stored at the owner's residence until a local service can pick them up for transportation to a location for ultimate disposal. Depending on the frequency of waste removal from the owner's home, the owner may be forced to temporarily store the pet's odorous and unhygienic waste for lengthy periods of time. This has prompted an increasing need for easy to use disposal bags that effectively trap these wastes and associated noxious odors.

Many of the disposal containers on the market are thin plastic bags (often obtained from a food retailer). The owner puts the waste inside, ties them shut and places them in a larger bin. This traditional method is only a temporary solution. Malodors may soon diffuse out of the thin plastic of which such bags are constructed and such bags will typically provide only brief containment of liquid wastes and are susceptible to breakage. Additionally, because these bags were generally not designed to contain a liquid, they lack an adequate closure and sealing means, thus providing another potential leakage route for liquid wastes. This lack of effective sealing system and thin material often fails to effectively trap odors and prevent breakage.

Broken or unsealed containers are not only unpleasant to smell, but can often result in unsanitary conditions as the disposed waste may contain parasites or bacteria. This need is contrasted with a need to ensure that some gases can escape during final disposal in order to prevent gas build up and provide the necessary ventilation to aid the decomposition process and allow for safe compression of the container during final disposal, if required.

Moreover, a ventilation point may permit access to trapped gases for extraction and use as a renewable energy source. The same decomposition process that produces undesirable odors can also be the source of potentially valuable gases, including methane. Many consider methane as a valuable renewable energy source and have investigated or implemented methane recovery and reuse programs at sites such as landfills.

SUMMARY OF THE GENERAL INVENTIVE CONCEPT

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the particular embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In one embodiment, the container of the present invention is comprised of:

a front panel;

a back panel;

a sealable opening formed at the top of the front and back panels;

a first aperture located on either the front or back panel of the container;

a removable seal for covering the first aperture to prevent odors from exiting the bag when sealed;

a barrier panel fixably positioned in the interior of the container and positioned transversely across the interior of the container, the barrier panel having a second aperture covered by a valve or moveable flaps for allowing materials into the second aperture when in an open position and for sealing the second aperture when in a closed position;

a bottom end connected to the front and back panels;

wherein the valve or moveable flaps allow materials to be accepted into the aperture while preventing the materials from being removed from the second aperture;

wherein the barrier panel prevents odors from escaping from the second aperture when the valve or moveable flaps are in a closed position.

It is appreciated that in one embodiment, the container is further comprised of: a first and second side panel sealed to side edges of the front and back panels and wherein the first and second side panels are rectangular in shape and configured to fold into a triangular shape when the sealable opening formed at the top of the front and back panels is sealed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of the example embodiments refers to the accompanying figures that form a part thereof. The detailed description provides explanations by way of exemplary embodiments. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be used having changes that incorporate the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In addition to the features mentioned above, other aspects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following descriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments, wherein like reference numerals across the several views refer to identical or equivalent features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the container of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a back view of one embodiment of the container of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is another back view of one embodiment of the container of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up view of the top of the container showing the primary seal of the preferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the preferred embodiment of the invention with the container open.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)

FIG. 1 is a side view of a container (e.g., bag) of one embodiment of the present invention. The primary barrier 1 seals the front 2 and back 4 panel of the bag. The bag is also shown with the preferred embodiment of rectangular shaped side panels 8 that generally fold at the upper portion of the bag. The rectangular side panels preferably fold into a triangular shape when the bag is shut as illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 illustrates a back view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The back panel illustrates the approximate location and size of the alternate aperture seal 3 (shown as a dashed line box) with red arrows illustrating the ability to be removed. Note that the alternate aperture is sealed in this figure (only the closed seal and approximate location is shown).

FIG. 3 illustrates a back view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The back panel is illustrated with the general location and size of the alternate aperture 5 (shown as a white circle) when the aperture seal is removed.

FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up view of the top of the container showing the primary seal of the preferred embodiment of the invention. In the preferred embodiment, the primary seal is a sliding lock seal which seals the front and back panels of the bag.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the preferred embodiment of the invention, when the primary seal is opened so as to look inside the bag. FIG. 4 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the secondary barrier 6 of the invention. As illustrated, the secondary barrier is formed inside the bag and is formed from a plurality of triangular shaped panels 7. As illustrated, the secondary barrier is located beneath the primary barrier.

The present invention is a temporary storage container designed to provide a means of temporary storage for before ultimate disposal of waste and refuse. The container has potential for particular application in pet litter and soiled diaper disposal. The container consists of innovative materials and design.

The container is constructed of rugged, durable materials designed to withstand reasonable wear and tear. The container generally prevents liquids and solids from entering or exiting any area other than the designed entry and exit paths. The container material is designed such that escape of odor is minimized or eliminated entirely.

In the preferred embodiment, the container is a bag with a top end 10 which can be opened or sealed and a bottom end 12 which is closed. In the preferred embodiment the bag contains a first and second panel consisting of a front and back. These panels are large and rectangular and seal together via the primary barrier. The bag also preferably consists of two additional side panels comprising a top and bottom in rectangular shape. The top panel is attached to the interior of the bag below the primary barrier and contains the secondary barrier to provide a means of attaching the secondary barrier to the bag interior. The bag also preferably contains two side panels in a rectangular shape that folds such that they form an elongated triangular shape when the bag is closed. All of these panels are assembled such that when the bag is closed, it is tapered from top to bottom such that the bottom, or base, of the bag is wider than the top. The shape and design allows for the bag to freely stand vertically under its own weight.

The panels may be comprised of multiple layers of materials. In the preferred embodiment, the bag consists of a single layer of polymer material such that escape of solids, liquids, or odor is minimized or eliminated entirely. For example, the bag may be made from a thick plastic material of the type that dog food is sold in.

In an alternate embodiment, the bag contains a number of panels consisting of a front, back, two sides, top and bottom in shapes such that they can be assembled to form a sealed container. In another alternate embodiment, the bag contains a number of panels consisting of a front, back, and two sides in shapes such that they can be assembled to form a sealed container. In another alternate embodiment, the bag contains two panels consisting of a front and back in shapes such that they can be assembled to form a sealed container.

The bag contains a sealable aperture on the top (“primary barrier”) such as a press to seal, or a hook and latch seal wherein the seal is designed such that escape of odor is minimized or eliminated entirely. The primary barrier seals the front and back panels of the bag along the top edge of the container.

Beneath the primary barrier in one embodiment is a second sealable aperture (“secondary barrier”). The secondary barrier is designed such that escape of odor is minimized or eliminated entirely. In the preferred embodiment, the second aperture is placed in the interior of the bag just below the primary barrier.

In the preferred embodiment, the secondary barrier is located in the middle of the top panel and contains a plurality of shaped panels designed to cover or nearly cover the entirety of the aperture.

In the one embodiment, the secondary barrier consists of an annular aperture with a plurality of triangular shaped panels arranged in a plane with the base of said triangular panels located along the edge of the aperture and apexes of said triangular panels touching or near touching in the center of the aperture such that the assembly results in complete or near complete coverage of the aperture.

The secondary barrier can be designed to allow waste product to enter by forcing the panels, or one way valve system, to allow entry under the weight of the waste product, then returning to the original, closed position to prevent waste products stored within from escaping. In an alternate embodiment, the secondary barrier contains a one-way entry system such as a valve or flap designed to only allow entry into the container.

Additionally, in the preferred embodiment, the container has an alternate aperture located on either the front or back panel covered by a seal which minimizes or entirely eliminates escaping odors, gases, and items stored within. The alternate aperture is generally intended to remain sealed until disposal of the container.

Removal of the seal over the alternate aperture provides a means of escape for accumulated gasses, as is sometimes required by law, to possibly allow ventilation to aid the decomposition process, and to possibly allow an access point for recovery of said gasses for renewable energy purposes.

In the embodiment where the alternate aperture is used as an access point for recovery of trapped gasses, the alternate aperture may be produced in a variety of shapes and sizes as required to permit said extraction in accordance with local extraction methods.

The container may be produced in a variety of shapes and sizes. The container alternatively may contain a handle for ease of transport. In an exemplary embodiment, the container is comprised of a chemical or compound for carbon absorption. The carbon absorption material may be temporarily placed or permanently fixed inside the container In another embodiment, the carbon absorption material is impregnated into the panels of the container. This additive is beneficial for human diaper disposal and storage to lower methane levels.

While certain embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above, the scope of the invention is not to be considered limited by such disclosure, and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention as evidenced by the following claims: 

What is claimed is:
 1. A container for storing odorous materials comprising: a front panel; a back panel; a sealable opening formed at the top of the front and back panels; a first aperture located on either the front or back panel of the container; a removable seal for covering the first aperture to prevent odors from exiting the bag when sealed; a barrier panel fixably positioned in the interior of the container and positioned transversely across the interior of the container, the barrier panel having a second aperture covered by a valve or moveable flaps for allowing materials into the second aperture when in an open position and for sealing the second aperture when in a closed position; a bottom end connected to the front and back panels.
 2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the second aperture is in a circular shape and the moveable flaps are in a triangular shape.
 3. A container according to claim 1, further comprising: a first and second side panel sealed to side edges of the front and back panels.
 4. A container according to claim 3, wherein the first and second side panels are rectangular in shape and configured to fold into a triangular shape when the sealable opening formed at the top of the front and back panels is sealed.
 5. A container according to claim 1, wherein the sealable opening is a hook and latch seal.
 6. A container according to claim 1, wherein the container is a bag.
 7. A container according to claim 1, wherein the barrier panel prevents odors from escaping from the second aperture when the valve or moveable flaps are in a closed position.
 8. A container according to claim 1, wherein the valve or moveable flaps allow materials to be accepted into the aperture while preventing the materials from being removed from the second aperture.
 9. A container according to claim 1, wherein the valve is a one-way valve.
 10. A container according to claim 1, further comprising a carbon absorption material affixed to the interior of the container
 11. A container according to claim 1, further comprising a carbon absorption material embedded into the container.
 12. A container for storing odorous materials comprising: a front panel; a back panel; a sealable opening formed at the top of the front and back panels; a first aperture located on either the front or back panel of the container; a removable seal for covering the first aperture to prevent odors from exiting the bag when sealed; a barrier panel fixably positioned in the interior of the container and positioned transversely across the interior of the container, the barrier panel having a second aperture covered by a valve or moveable flaps for allowing materials into the second aperture when in an open position and for sealing the second aperture when in a closed position; a bottom end connected to the front and back panels; a carbon absorption material affixed to the interior of the container; wherein the valve or moveable flaps allow materials to be accepted into the aperture while preventing the materials from being removed from the second aperture; wherein the barrier panel prevents odors from escaping from the second aperture when the valve or moveable flaps are in a closed position.
 13. A container according to claim 12 further comprising: a first and second side panel sealed to side edges of the front and back panels.
 14. A container according to claim 12, wherein the first and second side panels are rectangular in shape and configured to fold into a triangular shape when the sealable opening formed at the top of the front and back panels is sealed. 